Thumbs -- Published July 1, 2014

The Stockton City Council was prudent to continue funding the ShotSpotter technology, which has had a promising start in helping the Police Department locate gunfire in the city.

The Stockton City Council was prudent to continue funding the ShotSpotter technology, which has had a promising start in helping the Police Department locate gunfire in the city.

ShotSpotter was not included in the general fund of the city budget, but the majority of council members made it clear they wanted it funded.

For $100,000, the Police Department will be able to continue to use and test the technology from a private firm.

The high-tech gunfire detection system has been credited with some successes in police investigative work. It has not been vetted to the point that there is certainty it can work for the long haul.

It was a good move by the council to give it one more year. A better assessment of its long-term viability then can be made.

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We tend to take our automobiles for granted. When we need to go somewhere, we jump in the car and take off.

The continuing news of recalls by automakers is making that whole process less of a certainty.

With a recent recall of airbags last week, the United States auto industry has - sadly - broken the annual record for safety-related recalls.

And they've done so in less than half of the calendar year.

Car companies now have recalled at least 31.4 million vehicles in 2014. The most ever previously was 30.8 million in 2004.

It's important that potential safety-related issues are rectified. But it would be more reassuring if the vehicles didn't have those concerns in the first place.

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The first human case of the potentially deadly West Nile virus this year in San Joaquin County should serve as a warning to all.

» Don't leave sources of standing water around your home;

» Don't allow swimming pools to be neglected;

» Consider using mosquito fish or commercially available products to eliminate mosquito larvae.

The San Joaquin County Mosquito and Vector Control District is available to help. For service, call (209) 982-4675 or (800) 300-4675, or visit sjmosquito.org.

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The continuing controversies surrounding Veterans Affairs have given rise to yet another concern: treatment for female veterans.

Almost 400,000 female veterans sought VA health care during the past year. And yet nearly one in four VA hospitals does not have a full-time gynecologist. And roughly 20 percent of clinics serving rural areas do not even have a designated women's health care provider.

Women also are forced to a "wait list" more frequently than men.

It's important that we take care of the needs of all service men and women who have given their dedication to serving the country.

The VA has a long way to go in that regard.

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Some good "feathered friends" are back at Micke Grove Zoo.

The popular zoo's aviary is once again home to the beautiful and friendly lorikeets.

The birds are here for the fifth time, and they remain popular - especially with children, who can feed them nectar ($1 cost).

Lorikeets are native to arboreal forests and mangroves in such countries as Indonesia, Polynesia, Papua New Guinea and Australia.

But they're always welcome in Lodi.

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